| An
EKG is a test that measures the electrical activity of the
heartbeat. An EKG shows how fast the heart is beating. It
shows the heart’s rhythm (steady or irregular) and
where in the body the heartbeat is being recorded. It also
records the strength and timing of the electrical signals
as they pass through each part of the heart. Many heart
problems change the electrical signature of the heart in
distinct ways. EKG recordings of this electrical activity
can help reveal a number of heart problems, including:
* Heart
attack
* Lack of blood flow to the heart muscle
* A heart that is beating irregularly, or too fast or too
slow
* A heart that does not pump forcefully enough
EKG
recordings can help doctors diagnose a heart attack that
is happening now or has happened in the past. This is especially
true if doctors can compare a current EKG recording to an
older one. EKG recordings can also reveal:
* Heart
muscle that is too thick or parts of the heart that are
too big
* Birth defects in the heart
* Disease in the heart valves between the different heart
chambers
An EKG
also reveals whether the heartbeat starts at the top right
part of the heart like it should. It shows how long it takes
for the electrical signals to travel through the heart. |